3 Utes not returning

Most folks figured the annual exodus of players from the University of Utah basketball program that was so common under coach Rick Majerus was a thing of the past.

Apparently not.

Three players from the Utes' Sweet 16 team, Justin Hawkins, Jermaine Calvin and Jake Schmidt, will not be returning to the Ute basketball team for the 2005-06 season.

Calvin and Schmidt, who were seldom-used freshmen, are not surprises. However, the departure of Hawkins, a starter for 27 games last year, was not expected.

Utah coach Ray Giacoletti adamantly refused to talk about any of the departures when asked Tuesday.

"I'm not going to comment on it," he said. "It's not the public's business."

None of the three players was recruited by Giacoletti, who is beginning his second year at the Ute helm.

"These things are never easy," Giacoletti said. "We try to do what's best for the young men and the program."

In a prepared statement, Giacoletti thanked the three players for their contributions to the team and said, "We will do everything we can to help all three of them find a place to go that fits their needs both academically and athletically."

Calvin and Schmidt were not likely to see much action this coming year and will likely transfer to smaller programs. Hawkins, who is from Anaheim, Calif., is more likely to find a home in Division I basketball, perhaps at a program closer to home. He and Giacoletti reportedly had differences that could not be resolved.

Hawkins was an honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference performer this past season after averaging 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. He started 27 of 33 games, sitting out two games with a back injury. As a freshman, he played in all 32 games, starting three, and averaged 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds.

His best game last season was the NCAA first-round win over UTEP when he scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. His career high came against BYU when he scored 21 points on 10 of 12 shooting from the field.

The 6-8, 240-pound Schmidt was signed by Majerus out of Thermopolis, Wyo., but right from the start it was evident he was not ready for Division I basketball. He played less than some of the walk-ons, appearing in just six games and never scoring a point during the season, with two rebounds.

Calvin a 5-9, 177-pound guard, appeared in 28 games, starting two, but he played limited minutes as the season progressed. He played just 8.9 minutes per game and averaged 1.0 points and 1.2 assists per game.